Sunseeker escapes pirates

A new Sunseeker was attacked by pirates on its way to the Dubai Boat Show

A trip to the Dubai International Boat Show nearly ended in disaster when the new 30-metre offering from Sunseeker Middle East was attacked by pirates.

The line’s latest foray into the luxury end of the market was being transported to the Dubai International Boat Show by Portsmouth transport company PSP when pirates attacked.

Frank Dixie, managing director of PSP, who was not on board at the time, said, “It was a nail-biting experience to say the least but getting the boat to the show on time was our top priority and we weren’t going to let
anything get in our way.”

The journey had not been plain sailing from the time the PSP team reached the Suez Canal.

Due to the current situation in Egypt, the waterway had been closed and the PSP boat was held up in a two-day traffic jam. After navigating the canal, the boat made its way to the coast of Oman, and joined a military convoy in order to complete the next leg of the journey.

However, once the boat left the convoy pirates attacked, firing into the air. Despite the fact the crew had been provided with a security team, the captain was told to sail full ahead away from the trouble.

He reported that the vessel behind them in the convoy had been boarded. The motoryacht eventually arrived in Jebel Ali just a day before the boat show
was due to begin, and was skippered at top speed to the show’s home at
the Dubai International Marine Club in Mina Seyahi.

Dixie added, “Everything was stacked against us and this was our first dealing with Sunseeker in Dubai so it was vital that we got their prize yacht there safely and on time.”

Arif Oomer, from Sunseeker Middle East, said,‘We were over the moon when the yacht arrived at the show in time for the opening. PSP was faced with some incredibly difficult circumstances beyond its control and despite all this the team pulled through and did a fantastic job. If the boat had been stolen by the pirates it would have had huge implications for us and our customers.’

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